JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel's Navy killed four men that it said were planning a terror attack at sea.

Early Monday morning, the Navy forces fired on Palestinians wearing diving suits off the coast of Gaza. The men were "on their way to perpetrate a terrorist attack," according to the Israel Defense Forces spokesman. No Israeli forces were hurt.

NEW YORK (JTA) -- President Obama reiterated his call for an investigation into the flotilla confrontation and urged parties in the Middle East to transform the situation into a chance to advance the peace process.

In an interview with Larry King on CNN Thursday, Obama called the loss of life on the boat "unnecessary" and predicted that the Israelis would agree to an "investigation of international standards" because they recognize that the current situation "can't be good for Israel's long-term security."

Users of the pre-installed application must now choose between “West Jerusalem” and “East Jerusalem, West Bank,” to get the weather for the city following a change that went into effect over the weekend. The temperature information for both choices is identical.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The Obama administration wants Israel to conduct a "full and credible" investigation into a clash that left nine people dead when Israel commandoes boarded a flotilla shipping aid to the Gaza Strip.

Israeli leaders have reacted harshly to a Palestinian boycott launched last Tuesday against products made in Israeli West Bank settlements, threatening to impose higher taxes on Palestinian-made goods and possibly blocking cash donations from European nations.

“It is unacceptable that the Palestinians are waging an economic war against us with the sense that everything is allowed,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as telling a meeting of his Likud Party Monday.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- President Obama called Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the outset of renewed Israeli-Palestinian talks.

"The President congratulated President Abbas on the start of Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks," a White House statement said Tuesday. "He reiterated his strong support for the establishment of an independent, viable Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel."

In bid to ease diplomatic pressure, government
to launch index to monitor
PA hate speech.

05/04/2010 - 20:00

Joshua Mitnick And Gary Rosenblatt

Jerusalem — In an effort to ratchet up international pressure on the Palestinian Authority to combat what the Netanyahu administration calls hatred against Israel as peace talks move forward, Israel plans to unveil this month an “Incitement Index,” The Jewish Week has learned.

The Israeli government is expected to launch an Incitement Index this month, an effort to measure the level of action and rhetoric expressing hatred of Israel within the Palestinian Authority, The Jewish Week has learned.

"Since the Obama administration says the PA must be held accountable for incitement and terrorism, we want to make sure those issues get increased recognition and awareness in Washington and elsewhere," said a senior official of the Netanyahu government, who asked not to be named because the government decision has not been made officially.